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When the group textual content thread begins dreaming a few seashore journey, do not wait—simply e book it. Among the finest (and greatest stored secret) seashore getaways can be an ideal trip vacation spot for a gaggle of girlfriends searching for a weekend away. Set your sights on St. Augustine, Florida, for the perfect of all worlds: large stretches of sand for enjoyable within the solar, a number of river- and oceanfront spots to discover, nice procuring, and loads of locations to chill off with a cocktail in hand as soon as the solar sinks low.
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Situated in northwest Florida, St. Augustine has the excellence of being the oldest repeatedly occupied metropolis within the U.S. There’s nothing sleepy about this spot, although. It is a waterfront paradise situated each on the Atlantic Ocean and alongside a number of waterways that weave by way of the realm, together with the San Sebastian, Matanzas and Tolomato rivers, the latter of that are linked to the Atlantic by the St Augustine Inlet.
If you go to, you may have your choose of locations to remain. If you happen to’re feeling spendy, you may’t get far more central than Casa Monica Resort & Spa, the place you may take pleasure in a rooftop pool and luxurious grounds. The close by Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens is housed in 18th century buildings and has a lovely courtyard. The Bayfront Marin House is one other beautiful spot with ethereal rooms and breezy porches in a bed-and-breakfast-style setting. You possibly can additionally e book a spot west of the river for straightforward entry to Vilano Seaside and the Vilano Seaside Nature Boardwalk.
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Eat
You are by no means removed from a terrific eatery in St. Augustine. There’s one thing for everybody—together with a great deal of recent seafood—downtown and alongside A1A Seaside Boulevard, which has extra ice cream retailers alongside its route than you may shake a stick at. Attempt the St. Augustine Seafood Firm and The Floridian Restaurant for traditional seafood dishes, and be sure you take a look at Sainte-George and Columbia Restaurant for upscale fare. Do not forget so as to add Preserved Restaurant, Boat Drinks, Alta Marea, The Drunken Horse St. Augustine, Gaufres and Items, Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill, Llama Restaurant, and Meehan’s Irish Pub and Seafood Home to the record.
For drinks, take a look at the menu at Prohibition Kitchen, which serves up memorable meals and reside music too. There’s additionally Forgotten Tonic, which has cocktails and wine in a bistro-style setting. Do not even take into consideration lacking out on a go to to Ice Plant Bar, the place you may discover a improbable seasonal drinks menu along with farm-to-table fare. It is housed in a 1927 industrial constructing close to the San Sebastian River. There’s additionally the breezy veranda at The Tini Martini Bar, a well-liked spot on the harbor. And you will discover drinks on Anastasia Island at Odd Birds Cocktail Lounge & Kitchen and The Pub on Anastasia.
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Whether or not your group is keen on lounging on the seashore, exploring in nature, procuring the day away, or chartering a ship and getting down to sea, there’s loads to do in and round St. Augustine. Head to St. Augustine Seaside on Anastasia Island the place you may entry large Atlantic seashores excellent for sunning and splashing. You will additionally discover a beachfront park for picnics and volleyball courts at St. Johns County Ocean Pier. There are nice views at North Seaside Park, Vilano Seaside, and Surfside Park as nicely. They’re quieter spots off A1A simply north of St. Augustine. One other picturesque oceanfront stretch is Crescent Seaside simply south of St. Augustine Seaside.
To listen to reside music, stroll by way of town—it will not take lengthy to discover a bar or restaurant with a live performance in progress. The St. Augustine Seafood Company is an ideal spot for that, as they typically have reside music enjoying at Colonial Oak Music Park. You possibly can additionally e book tickets for a present on the 4,000-seat St. Augustine Amphitheatre (often known as The Amp), which has an enormous calendar of occasions.
For an outdoorsy tour, lace up your sneakers and discover Anastasia State Park, a inexperienced house stretching over 1,600 acres on Anastasia Island. It is simply throughout Matanzas Bay and a fast from drive from downtown St. Augustine. One other good spot for out of doors journey is Ocean Hammock Park, which has a nature path and picnic areas. When you’ve got thrill seekers amongst you, take a look at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, which is without doubt one of the state’s oldest points of interest and a vacation spot for studying about—and marveling at—crocodiles and different reptiles.
If you happen to’re staying in St. Augustine, you may be a simple stroll to most of the space’s historic websites. Historical past buffs will love exploring the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the oldest masonry fort within the continental United States, and its Outdated Metropolis Gate. Downtown can be residence to the Lightner Museum, which has an unimaginable assortment of American Gilded Age items housed within the historic Lodge Alcazar constructing. Close by can be the Colonial Quarter, the place you may find out about Spanish colonial historical past, and The González–Álvarez Home, which is regarded as the oldest home within the metropolis.
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When the group textual content begins lighting up with goals about seashore holidays, think about St. Augustine. It is the perfect spot for a girlfriend getaway, and you will find a number of jewels to find in and round this historic and taking place metropolis on the coast.
